A former waitress, whose message of determination and resilience charmed audiences and judges, was crowned the 2023 Miss Binibining Pilipinas International on Sunday night.
Angelica Lopez, 22, a model and psychology student, will represent the Philippines at the Miss International pageant, one of the big four global beauty competitions besides Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Earth.
Lopez beat 39 other contestants to the title and was crowned by reigning Miss International Jasmin Selberg of Germany, who flew down for the event.
The glitzy ceremony was held at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.
Dedicating her crown to her mother, who passed away five years ago, Lopez spoke about her tough upbringing and how a life of poverty shaped her into the woman she is today.
“For those who don’t know, I grew up in a low economic status household. At the age of 14, I became a dishwasher and waitress, and really worked hard,” she told ABS-CBN News after her coronation.
“It was my mother who taught me the value of money, to be resilient, that’s why I have become the strong, independent woman that I am. It’s really my mother who helped me to become the person that I am today. I dedicate this win to her.”
Binibining Pilipinas, now in its 59th year, is one of the most prestigious in the Philippines, a country well known for its love of beauty pageants. Besides Lopez, Anna Valencia Lakrini was crowned Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2023, and will represent her country at The Miss Globe pageant.
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray returned as one of the hosts of the event.
Lopez, who represented the province of Palawan on Sunday, will compete in the 2024 Miss International pageant, while Cebu's Nicole Borromeo – winner of Binibining Pilipinas International 2022 – will represent the Philippines this year. The Miss International 2023 pageant, now in its 61st year, is set to be held in Shibuya, Tokyo on October 26.
-
The new 2022 queens of Binibining Pilipinas International. All photos: Binibining Pilipinas 2022 -
Nicole Borromeo, left, wins Binibining Pilipinas International. -
Hosts Catriona Gray, left, and Nicole Cordoves. -
The 2021 reigning queen Binibining Pilipinas Miss Grand International, Samantha Panlilio. -
The 2021 reigning queen Binibining Pilipinas Miss Globe, Maureen Montagne. -
Miss Grand International 2021 and 2022, Samantha Panlilio, right, and Roberta Angela Tamondong. -
Miss Globe, Chelsea Fernandez. -
Second runner-up, Stacey Gabriella Daniel. -
The stage before the event. -
The 2022 Binibining Pilipinas Miss International winner Nicole Borromeo is crowned. -
Chelsea Fernandez is crowned as the new Binibining Pilipinas Miss Globe by Maureen Montagne. -
The 2022 Face of Binibini, Bb. 31 Yllana Marie Aduana of Laguna Province. -
The 2021 reigning queen Binibining Pilipinas Miss International, Hannah Arnold. -
Best in Swimsuit, Bb. 28 Gabrielle Basiano. -
Singer Maymay Entrata performs at the beauty pageant. -
Gabrielle Basiano becomes the new Binibining Pilipinas Miss Intercontinental. -
The 2021 reigning queen Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental, Cindy Obenita. -
Reigning queen Binibining Pilipinas 2021 Miss Globe, Maureen Montagne. -
Miss Grand International, Roberta Tamondong. -
The moment Nicole Borromeo wins Miss International. -
Best in Long Gown, Bb. 28 Gabrielle Basiano. -
First runner-up, Herlene Nicole Budol. -
Reigning queen Binibining Pilipinas 2021 Miss Intercontinental, Cindy Obenita. -
Meiji Cruz passes on her crown to Stacey Gabriel as the new second runner-up.
